HyImpulse ready for first suborbital flight from UK by spring next year
Company continues to work with SaxaVord Spaceport and the Civil Aviation Authority after receiving launch licence
GERMAN space company HyImpulse has confirmed it is planning a first European sub-orbital launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in spring next year.
The confirmation comes after the company received its UK launch operator licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
HyImpulse had initially hoped to be able to launch in autumn of this year. The company has a long history of testing its propulsion system at the disused Scatsta airport site.
The operator licence establishes HyImpulse as a licensed launch operator in the United Kingdom and paves the way for the company’s first launch from European soil, the company said.
It provides the framework for both the company’s SR75 suborbital programme and future orbital launches of the SL1 launch vehicle from the space port on the island of Unst.
HyImpulse chief executive Dr Christian Schmierer described the licence as “a major milestone for HyImpulse and validates years of work by our teams and partners”.
“Obtaining a launch operator licence in the UK is a rigorous process and demonstrates that our systems, procedures and safety case meet the high standards required for commercial launch operations,” he said.
SaxaVord chief executive Scott Hammond said: “This is excellent news for HyImpulse and another milestone on the road to launch from SaxaVord.
“Securing a UK launch operator licence represents the culmination of a huge amount of work by the HyImpulse team and the CAA, and we congratulate everyone involved.”
Sue Kee, head of space applications at the CAA, said the agency is working closely with the growing sector.
“Momentum continues to build towards vertical launch from the UK. We are in a significant and exciting period for the UK’s growing space sector,” she said.
HyImpulse and the CAA will now complete the operational activities required before launches can commence.
Based on the current assessment of these remaining activities and the seasonal weather conditions at SaxaVord during autumn and winter, HyImpulse is preparing for the flight of its SR75 suborbital launch vehicle in spring 2027, the company said.
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The SR75 is a lightweight, aerodynamically stabilized suborbital rocket designed for research and technology demonstration missions.
With a lift-off mass of approximately 2.5 tonnes, the vehicle operates within more restrictive wind limits than larger launch vehicles.
HyImpulse’s larger SL1 orbital launch vehicle is expected to weigh more than 50 tonnes at lift-off and relies on thrust vector control throughout powered flight.
As a result, it will be capable of operating under a substantially broader range of environmental conditions. “With the operator licence secured, the most important regulatory milestone has been achieved,” Dr. Schmierer added.
“SR75 is ready for flight, and our teams have completed the major technical and operational preparations required for launch.
“Our focus is now on completing the final activities within the licence framework in close coordination with the CAA and SaxaVord, while preparing for launch as soon as conditions allow.
“At the same time, we continue at full speed with the development of our orbital launch vehicle, SL1, to bring satellites to orbit.”
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), another German developer working at SaxaVord Spaceport, had to cancel a planned first launch in August after it run into not nearer defined problem. A launch of its RFA One rocket has been put on hold until further notice.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese space technology business Omnidea has acquired Orbex’s UK manufacturing assets and IP.
The space rocket manufacturer and orbital launch company, which had plans to send satellites into orbit from SaxaVord, went into administration earlier this year.
Omnidea said it will establish a centre for structures development and fabrication and a hub for flight and ground-system electronics at Orbex’s former manufacturing facility in Forres.
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